Coming up on half a year in this amazing spot!!
This was a concert that Hazel and I attended because we both had friends in Kaipo's Ukulele class. They did the concert barefoot of course in true Hawaiian Style. We had fun.
Our next big event was American Thanksgiving. Our YSA ward had a dinner first that Shelley and I made buns for. Then we rushed off to the senior missionary's dinner to follow. WE ATE A LOT OF FOOD!! The highlight for me was the generosity of the "Ah You Family" which is a big name here in Laie. We met the father who is probably my age or older that has 8 children, 6 sons and 2 daughters. One of the sons is the stake president in Laie. They host a Thanksgiving dinner EVERY year for all the missionaries. But that is just the tip of the iceberg....They cooked 350 turkey's with all the trimmings and not only feed us but feed endless numbers of needy people in surrounding areas on the island. There were kids, the grandkids of all ages serving and cleaning and working. Think of the lessons these kids have learned. HARD WORK for one. Which seems to override all they do. One of the grandsons just got drafted by the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS football team. His name is Kingsley Susmataia. He played for the Ducks in Oregon, then BYU before before he got drafted earlier this year. I saw posters all over town but didn't get the connection till now.
Then there was Thanksgiving Dinner for Hazel's friends who call me Grandma Joan, whenever or wherever they see me. Food and FUN for sure. We had turkey, dressing, homemade cranberries, (Aunt Ivory style) mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes (Aunt Jody style) salad and pumpkin pie....from Costco sorry to say. I did have to work all day Saturday and we had it Saturday night,so I was up really late Friday night getting the turkey cooked and gravy made. All her friends are so great and kind and polite. After dinner they helped with dishes and then played games. It was actually hysterical, everyone was laughing so hard .....crazy making animal sound game then crazy saying game.
Hazel, Siosi, Lanay, Hannah, Michael, Mary, Joan Ben, Sophie, ....
The parade ends at the elementary school grounds with a huge party and program with lots of food trucks and vendors with everything you can imagine. There were also tons of bouncy houses and the playground for all the kids.
This is our district. The Hudnalls, The Colemans, The Grieners and 5 sisters (Shelley is missing)
Our next big event was American Thanksgiving. Our YSA ward had a dinner first that Shelley and I made buns for. Then we rushed off to the senior missionary's dinner to follow. WE ATE A LOT OF FOOD!! The highlight for me was the generosity of the "Ah You Family" which is a big name here in Laie. We met the father who is probably my age or older that has 8 children, 6 sons and 2 daughters. One of the sons is the stake president in Laie. They host a Thanksgiving dinner EVERY year for all the missionaries. But that is just the tip of the iceberg....They cooked 350 turkey's with all the trimmings and not only feed us but feed endless numbers of needy people in surrounding areas on the island. There were kids, the grandkids of all ages serving and cleaning and working. Think of the lessons these kids have learned. HARD WORK for one. Which seems to override all they do. One of the grandsons just got drafted by the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS football team. His name is Kingsley Susmataia. He played for the Ducks in Oregon, then BYU before before he got drafted earlier this year. I saw posters all over town but didn't get the connection till now.
Game night with Kim, Sharla, Cindy Joan and Sheri
Next big event in Laie is Christmas ALL NIGHT LONG. First they have a big parade through the town with floats and of course one blowing fake snow!!!! Everyone here LOVES snow LOL
The parade ends at the elementary school grounds with a huge party and program with lots of food trucks and vendors with everything you can imagine. There were also tons of bouncy houses and the playground for all the kids.
We were asked to sing on the program by President AhYou....so we did. They had a huge light the world sign which was fun. The whole place was buzzing just like Raymond on the 1st of July. It was a great feeling. Lots of good people live in Laie.
The evening ended with a HUGE fireworks show. Hawaiians LOVE fireworks. It will be the middle of the week and all of a sudden.....HUGE BOOM....oh it's just fireworks.... in someone's backyard.
We sang Aloha Oe to some missionaries going home. 
Elder and Sister Goates who picked me up upon arrival are going home and soon going out again on another mission in the spring to Martins Cove. Great and happy people.
The Wadmans who are in my ward every week are heading back to Utah . She worked as a nurse here and also plays the piano and he was a "farmer" at the church farm. Elder Wadman...always a joker!!
We did manage to sneak off to the movie "Wicked" and took a photo.
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